A newborn giraffe steps into the future with the help of custom-designed leg braces
Every physician occasionally comes across a patient who challenges his skills. But when orthotist Ara Mirzaian encountered a baby giraffe in need of leg braces, it took the word "challenge" to a whole new level.
Watch the video to see a baby giraffe walking with the aid of braces.
Msituni, who was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California, arrived with a problem in one of her front legs: The joint bent the wrong way. Veterinarians at the zoo feared for her survival because they worried that her lack of mobility would make it hard for her to nurse properly and move around her habitat.
They reached out to the Hanger Clinic, where Mirzaian has spent his career fitting braces and splints on countless people, including Paralympians. But he had never worked with animals.
After reading up on giraffes on the internet, Mirzaian designed a special set of braces for the 5-foot-10 animal that supported her legs and allowed for the natural growth and strengthening they hoped would correct the problem. He then set about fitting the braces at the animal hospital.
"So we came in here and I saw a giraffe," Mirzaian says. "We met her first and I saw her on the table, and she was under anesthesia, and it was just amazing seeing such a big, beautiful creature just lying there in front of me, so I had to ask the staff if I could give her a hug and they said yeah. So, I gave her a hug. It was very rewarding."
The procedure went smoothly, and Msituni responded well to her customized braces, which were designed with a giraffe pattern to make them look more natural.
After five weeks in the hospital, Msituni's leg problem was resolved, and the baby giraffe was able to return to her herd.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adorable giraffe calf gets leg braces made especially for her
